Chapter 71 Forgiving the World Even if Ling Shu leaves, he has decided...
When Ling Shu returned from the bar, she brought drinks for Guan Mengxing, Chen Zui, and the two caregivers. After taking the cups, Guan Mengxing casually said, "Sister Shu, it felt like you were gone for quite a while."
"oh."
Ling Shu sat down next to her, sinking into the soft chair, her voice unusually calm, "I just sat at the bar for a bit."
Guan Mengxing didn't think much of it, and lowered her head again, her fingertips flying across the keyboard.
Since her last live stream at the Zhao family's house, she's entered a new arena. Netizens know Ling Shu is her good friend, and with the recent eye-catching news about the Sheng family, her fan base has surged. Guan Mengxing cherishes every follower; with each new fan, her path to helping women becomes a little easier.
Ling Shu's gaze lingered on the screen for a moment before turning to the view outside the porthole. Ten thousand meters below, the sea of clouds rolled and stretched out, like an endless ice field. Was the icy, snowy landscape Sheng Yun Shen had once seen also such an extreme, continuous expanse of white?
Chen Zui continued to close his eyes and pretend to sleep, while the caregivers Xiao Jia and Xiao Yi were resting.
The cabin was quiet, with only the roar of the engines echoing in the air.
After a while, Sheng Yunshen's voice rang in Ling Shu's mind: "Ling Shu, what's wrong?"
Others might not have noticed, but he and Ling Shu spent every day together, and he keenly sensed that Ling Shu's emotions seemed a little off.
When she's lucid, she's usually restless; she's always looking for something to eat, something to play with, or something to do. It's rare for her to be so quiet for so long, doing nothing and thinking about nothing.
"ah……"
Ling Shu was snapped out of her daze, raised her hand to touch her hair, and denied it outright, "Nothing, I was just spacing out."
As if reminded, she got up and walked to Sheng Yun Shen's side, took his hand, and gently massaged it.
"Are you uncomfortable being tied up? Would you like me to give you a massage?"
For some reason, Sheng Yun Shen felt that her movements were more focused than ever before.
Her fingers gently brushed against his skin, conveying a silent, tender affection. To Sheng Yun Shen, with his keen sense of touch, it was as if he could feel the emotions she was conveying through her movements.
This feeling...
It seems so...
Reluctant to part with it.
She couldn't bear to part with him.
She was tracing his outline with her fingertips, confirming his presence, and at the same time... saying a silent goodbye.
The moment this thought popped into his head, Sheng Yun Shen's heart sank.
The voice of "Return to Zero" rang in his mind at just the right moment, full of undisguised sarcasm: "You noticed? Sheng Yun Shen, Ling Shu has already made her wish. Guess what it is? I told you, you'd regret it."
No wonder Ling Shu's reaction was a bit strange; it turns out she encountered Gui Ling.
Sheng Yunshen's tone was indifferent, seemingly unconcerned: "Is it a wish related to me?"
Gui Ling let out a mechanical, grating laugh: "You think I'd fall for your tricks again? You want to know? I'm not going to tell you. Sheng Yun Shen, I'll follow you and watch you regret it!"
Having suffered repeated setbacks at Sheng Yunshen's hands, it finally had a chance to retaliate, and naturally wouldn't let it go easily.
Sheng Yunshen remained silent, ignoring the sarcastic and mocking words, and focused on sensing Ling Shu's movements.
She was gently stroking his arm, carefully kneading every part of it.
It was as if they were measuring his figure with their fingers, inch by inch, minute by minute.
This realization made his heart sink, as if he were constantly falling into the deep sea, and the surrounding darkness became thicker and thicker, making it hard to breathe.
He took a deep breath and tried to ask in a relaxed manner, "Ling Shu, what's wrong? You seem unhappy."
Ling Shu paused almost imperceptibly in her hand movements, then replied nonchalantly, "Yeah, I'm not too happy, but it's okay."
Her voice was soft, "You'll get used to it gradually."
Sheng Yunshen's heart grew heavier.
Habit?
What are your habits?
Have I gotten used to... life without him?
So, is the reason Ling Shu can't bear to part with him because she made a wish to leave him?
Sheng Yun Shen dared not think any further.
It's okay. He had already made all the preparations when he decided to give his wish to Ling Shu.
This includes the awareness of returning to the darkness of solitude and spending the rest of one's life alone.
He would gladly give Ling Shu anything she wanted.
Fate had already shown him favor by bringing her to him, and Sheng Yun Shen was never a greedy person. He only hoped that this moment could last a little longer, and then a little longer still.
So that he could remember the feel and temperature of her fingers.
The atmosphere fell silent as Ling Shu focused on the massage without saying another word.
Midway through the journey, the caregiver, Xiao Jia, came over and said, "Sister Ling, let me take over. You go and rest for a while."
Ling Shu shook her head: "It's okay, I'm free anyway."
Xiao Jia exclaimed, "Sister, you're so good to President Sheng."
As Sheng Yun Shen's caregiver, Xiao Jia spent several months with Ling Shu and witnessed everything she did. Xiao Jia felt that Sheng Yun Shen was incredibly lucky to have married such a wife.
Ling Shu smiled gently, but before she could answer, Guan Mengxing stepped forward and said, "My sister Shu is of course an unparalleled good woman. However, President Sheng's stunning good looks are still worthy of my sister Shu."
Not far away, Chen Zui opened his eyes, his gaze swept over Guan Mengxing's face, then looked away, and silently closed his eyes.
Guan Mengxing noticed his gaze and raised her eyebrows: "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Chen Zui replied in a nonchalant tone, "It's nothing."
Guan Mengxing sneered repeatedly: "Although Mr. Shen hasn't said anything, I've already guessed what you want to say. For Sister Shu's sake, I won't hold it against you."
He glanced at it, which was just a silent way of saying, "Why don't you take a look at yourself?"
Didn't I say before I became intoxicated that someone as loud and boisterous as her is not worthy of being Ling Shu's sister?
Ugh, just thinking about it makes me angry!
Guan Mengxing didn't expose Chen Zui's intentions on the spot, which was already out of consideration for Ling Shu, and she didn't want to make things too ugly.
"However, I would like to advise Mr. Shen that being a person with no class can backfire."
He opened his eyes again, still feeling intoxicated: "Likewise."
Guan Mengxing: "..."
Guan Mengxing: "Ha!"
Intoxicated: "Hmph."
Ling Shu: "..."
Here you go again!
The two generals, Heng and Ha!
She let go of Sheng Yun Shen's hand and rubbed her temples, feeling a bit of a headache.
Just then, the pilot gave a friendly reminder that the plane was preparing to land and that Haicheng would be arriving soon.
Ling Shu breathed a sigh of relief and quickly waved her hand: "Alright, everyone go back and sit down."
-
Half an hour later, the plane landed at Haicheng Airport.
The car arranged by Butler Wang was already waiting on the tarmac. Ling Shu and her group got in the car, and Chen Zui, still the driver, took them away from the airport and headed towards Liuli Island.
This time, Guan Mengxing refused to sit in the front passenger seat. She took Xiao Yi's seat and sat in the back row with Xiao Jia.
The fact that they dislike each other is already quite obvious.
On the way, Ling Shu seemed preoccupied: "Gouzi, did I make a mistake by bringing them out?"
The two main characters argued and grumbled the whole way. Forget about developing feelings for each other, Ling Shu was worried that they would turn against each other on the spot, become enemies, and never speak to each other again.
That's too much of a sin.
Sheng Yunshen's voice was muffled: "...Let nature take its course, observe for another two days. If it really doesn't work, find an opportunity to transfer Chen Zui back to the Sheng family."
Ling Shu sighed.
That's all we can do.
She held Sheng Yun Shen's hand, turned to look at the scenery rushing past the window, and suddenly sighed, "If they really end up together, will they feel regretful when they look back on these bickering days?"
Human time is limited, and every minute and every second should be cherished.
It's such a pity that two people who should be deeply in love wasted their precious travel time arguing.
Sheng Yun Shen didn't answer her question, but said in a low voice, "Ling Shu, you're not in a good mood."
"Um."
Ling Shu lowered her head. "Sheng Yun Shen, don't ask, okay? I need to adjust, I'll be fine soon."
Sheng Yun Shen: "...Okay."
If she doesn't want him to ask, then he won't ask anymore.
Two hours later, we arrived at Liuli Island.
A cross-sea highway has been built on the island, and there is a three-story building in the center of the island. Chen Zui drove directly onto the island and parked his car outside the building.
Ling Shu opened the door, and sunlight instantly streamed in through the cracks, bringing the warmth of an island.
The blue sky and the vast ocean that come into view are simply breathtaking.
Ling Shu exclaimed "Wow!", put on her sunglasses, and eagerly got out of the car, stretching out in a big yawn.
My gloomy mood was instantly healed by the sea and sunshine.
Caregivers Xiao Jia and Xiao Yi took out a wheelchair and were about to lift Sheng Yun Shen out of the car when Ling Shu stopped them, saying, "Let me do it."
Xiao Jia and Xiao Yi were stunned: "Huh?"
Ling Shu nodded to them, bent down and got into the car, effortlessly lifted Sheng Yun Shen out, and placed him carefully in the wheelchair. After placing him, Ling Shu took the initiative to push the wheelchair, pushing Sheng Yun Shen towards the small building.
Xiao Jia watched Ling Shu's retreating figure and leaned closer to Xiao Yi: "Yi, did you notice? Sister Ling was especially nice to President Sheng today."
Xiao Yi nodded: "It really is wonderful. Is it because you're on vacation and in a good mood?"
Xiao Jia raised his hand to touch his chin: "I don't think it looks like it..."
It didn't seem like he was in a good mood; it was more like... if he didn't hug her now, he might never have the chance again.
Ugh, I don't dare think about it too much, this idea is too terrifying.
He abruptly shook his head, turned to grab his luggage, and laughed exaggeratedly, "Hahaha, look at what crazy things I'm saying, ignore it, ignore it!"
Pushing Sheng Yun Shen into the small building, Ling Shu looked around and saw Guan Mengxing busy taking photos and writing articles, and Immersed in moving and organizing luggage. Everything was in good order, and it seemed that she didn't need to do anything else. It was still early before dinner time, and Butler Wang had already delivered various fresh ingredients and arranged for two local chefs, so Ling Shu didn't need to worry about cooking.
She greeted the two of them and decided to take Sheng Yun Shen out for a stroll.
Stepping out of the small building again, the sea breeze blew in her face, ruffling the hem of Ling Shu's clothes and the ends of her hair, making her laugh out loud.
She casually tied her hair up, found a sun hat for Sheng Yun Shen to wear, and slowly pushed him towards the seaside.
A long boardwalk was built outside the small building, leading directly to the beach not far away.
Sheng Yun Shen said in a low voice, "There is a very special beach on Liuli Island called Baishi Bay. It's not a sandy beach, but a pebble beach, and the stones are all very beautiful. I've only seen it in photos and haven't been there in person yet. Ling Shu, take me to see it."
"good."
Ling Shu determined the direction and headed towards Baishi Bay.
The boardwalk was built on a cliff overlooking the sea. Walking slowly along the cliff, the waves crashed against the rocks at the bottom, making a crisp, cracking sound. In the distance, the sea and sky met, intertwining in a breathtaking deep blue. Ling Shu looked around, her eyes wide open, not wanting to miss a single detail.
As she watched, she shared her thoughts with Sheng Yunshen.
"The weather is great today, there are hardly any clouds in the sky. Looking out at the sea from here, you can't see the horizon. Oh, by the way, there are two small islands over there, and a few small boats, most likely fishing boats."
Sheng Yun Shen smiled in the darkness: "Isn't there an island that looks very special, like a big turtle lying on the surface of the sea?"
Ling Shu looked at it carefully: "Huh, it really is, it looks like a big turtle."
Sheng Yunshen said, "Yes, that island is called Turtle Island."
"Turtle Island? Is the name really that crude?" Ling Shu casually remarked.
Sheng Yunshen chuckled twice: "This is the name given by the fishermen in the past. It is said that when the fishermen went out to sea to fish, reaching Turtle Island was the farthest distance. If they did not go back, they would not be able to get home before dark."
"Therefore, the name Turtle Island was given by the fishermen's wives, hoping that when they saw Turtle Island, they would remember to turn back home." (Note)
"I see……"
Ling Shu gazed at Turtle Island in the sea and felt that the adorable little island had suddenly become much cuter.
Turtle Island, Return Island.
The simple name carries the hopes and expectations of the family.
She looked away and continued walking forward: "It's fine."
After walking a while further, the boardwalk splits into two, one of which winds downwards, with steps leading all the way to Baishi Bay.
Ling Shu stood at the crossroads, looked around, and said to Sheng Yun Shen, "I'll carry you down."
Before he could finish speaking, he felt his body lighten and land on a slender, steady back.
Ling Shu smiled easily: "Since we're already here, I have to take you to see it."
Sheng Yun Shen did not refuse again.
Ling Shu today...
They are definitely different.
She treated him with unconditional kindness, as if there were no tomorrow.
She carried him down the slope, her steps steady and without the slightest bump.
Sheng Yunshen's heart felt as if it were being soaked in sour water.
Ling Shu... what kind of wish did you make?
She didn't want him to ask, so he endured it alone in the darkness, silently swallowing all his panic and unease.
Soon, the sound of the waves became clearer and clearer; we had arrived at White Stone Beach.
Upon seeing the scenery before her, Ling Shu couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow! Is this the legendary glass sea?"
The clear, transparent seawater washes over the colorful pebble beach, creating sparkling waves. The white pebble beach is small, covered with all sorts of small round stones, which tint the transparent waves with different colors.
She walked over, dipped her feet into the seawater, and felt the caress of the waves.
The weather was sunny and the seawater was warm, making it very comfortable.
There happened to be a flat, large rock on the beach. Ling Shu carefully placed Sheng Yun Shen on the rock, squatted down, took off his shoes and socks, and immersed his feet in the seawater.
"Doggy, can you feel the waves?"
The sensation of the seawater washed over his insteps and calves, the waves gently lapping against his legs like the tenderest caress.
Sheng Yun Shen replied in a low voice, "I felt it."
Ling Shu sat beside him, her toes dangling in the waves, occasionally getting her trouser legs wet by the big waves, and letting out a crisp, cheerful laugh.
Sheng Yun lay there, hoping that this beautiful time could last a little longer, and then a little longer still.
After a while, he felt a shadow "float" over his head; it must be Ling Shu looking at him.
"Ling Shu?"
Ling Shu's voice came from above, sounding a little embarrassed: "Um... can I... kiss you?"
Sheng Yun Shen: "..."
He initially didn't think much of it, but her question suddenly made him feel embarrassed.
"Yes, is that alright?"
Damn it, why am I stuttering?
The next moment, Ling Shu's soft lips covered his, and Sheng Yun Shen instantly forgot all his thoughts.
The sky, the sunlight, the waves—all vanished in an instant, leaving only the tactile sensations of her in his world.
Her lips, her tongue, her breath, her body, her palms...
Soft, flexible, light, delicate, and fiery...
Time seemed to stretch on forever.
The moment their tongues touched, it was as if lightning had exploded before Sheng Yunshen's eyes, cleaving through the heavy black haze that had enveloped him.
This wasn't their first kiss, but it was definitely the one that left the deepest impression on Sheng Yun Shen. Every detail, every moment, was deeply imprinted in his heart.
Sheng Yun Shen suddenly felt relieved.
Even if Ling Shu leaves, he has decided to forgive this world.
Because it's really... wonderful.
After an unknown amount of time, Ling Shu looked up and suddenly realized that the sun had begun to set.
The tide had risen considerably, almost submerging the large rocks, and her and Sheng Yunshen's pants were almost completely soaked.
If it had been any later, Sheng Yunshen would have been drowned.
"oops."
She stood up somewhat awkwardly, put Sheng Yun Shen back on her back, and walked towards the shore.
Sheng Yun Shen let out a low laugh in her mind.
Ling Shu's cheeks flushed as she listened: "Stop laughing! And you too, you didn't even remind me!"
The sun at the beach was so comforting, and the waves so warm, that she momentarily forgot the passage of time, and he didn't remind her.
Sheng Yunshen coughed and said seriously, "...If you're addicted, then I'm a million times more addicted than you."
Ling Shu coughed and quickened her pace, trying to use the sea breeze to dispel the heat that had gathered on her face.
"Ling Shu".
When Sheng Yun Shen called her, those two simple words carried immense weight.
Ling Shu responded softly, "Hmm?"
"I like you."
Ling Shu suddenly stopped in her tracks: "Huh?!"
Was this really so unexpected?
Sheng Yun Shen couldn't help but laugh again, and while laughing, he earnestly repeated: "I like you, I like you a lot, the kind of liking a man has for a woman."
...The kind of love where you want to spend your whole life with her.
Even if she left, he couldn't hate the kind of love he had for her.
Ling Shu laughed along with her.
She started walking again, carrying him uphill.
"Thank you for liking it, I'm very happy."
Sheng Yun Shen's voice was soft: "This should be the happiest moment of my life."
With her, there is the sea, the sunset, and kisses.
She carried him on her back, and he stayed with her.
"This is nothing."
Ling Shu answered casually. In the short time it took to exchange a few questions, she had already carried him back to the boardwalk and put him back in his wheelchair.
Turning to look at the horizon, the sun was already close to the sea level, painting the entire sky in a dreamy purple.
"It's time to go home."
She pushed him along the boardwalk toward the small building.
Sheng Yun Shen didn't speak. Gui Ling suddenly reappeared and made a piercing laugh in his ear.
Sheng Yun Shen remained completely unmoved, and even retorted sarcastically, "If you want to provoke me, you'll have to keep trying."
"Keep trying? Damn it, humans are just so stubborn!"
As expected, the defense was breached again after the value was reset to zero.
However, it paused, then laughed eerily, "Hehe, something good is going to happen soon. I'm giving you a heads-up so you won't be too surprised."
Good news?
The good things that are mentioned by "resetting to zero" are definitely not good things.
Sheng Yunshen felt a chill in his heart. He tentatively asked a couple of questions, but Gui Ling remained silent and completely ignored him.
I guess they were scared of being scammed by him, so they simply muted the phone.
Back in the small building, dinner was ready. Sheng Yunshen's pants were still wet, so Ling Shu handed him over to Xiao Jia and Xiao Yi to take a bath and change his clothes, while she went to the dining room to eat first.
Guan Mengxing and Shen Zui were waiting for her in the restaurant.
Upon seeing Ling Shu appear, the two of them turned to look at her simultaneously.
Guan Mengxing asked with concern, "Sister Shu, where's your husband?"
Ling Shu sat down at the table, picked up her chopsticks, and replied, "His clothes were wet, so he went to take a shower and change."
Guan Mengxing nodded: "Did you guys have fun?"
Ling Shu thought of the long, intoxicating kiss on the big rock and coughed lightly twice: "It was...it was really fun. By the way, you and Shen Zui must go to Baishitan, it's incredibly beautiful."
"Me...and Shen Zui?"
Guan Mengxing pointed at herself, raising her eyebrows exaggeratedly, "Mr. Shen has such high standards, I dare not go with him, it would be an eyesore to him."
Chen Zui served Ling Shu soup with a blank expression, without even looking up: "Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Miss Guan."
Guan Mengxing: "Ha."
Intoxicated: "Hmph."
Ling Shu: "..."
Ugh, here we go again! She shouldn't have said that one extra word!
Seeing the romantic relationship between the male and female protagonists in the original book getting more and more distorted, Ling Shu lowered her head in frustration and ate her food.
The two generals, Heng and Ha, also temporarily ceased their fighting and quietly began their meal.
I thought I could enjoy the meal properly, but before I was even halfway through, there was a sudden loud knocking on the door outside the building.
Ling Shu put down her chopsticks and frowned slightly.
Liuli Island is the Sheng family's private island, and the road across the sea is controlled; only members of the Sheng family are allowed to drive in. Everyone in their group was inside the small building, so who was knocking on the door?
Just as Chen Zui was about to get up to open the door, Ling Shu stopped him in time.
She instinctively became alert and shook her head at Shen Zui: "Don't open the door yet, I'll go check the situation."
There's always a feeling that the person coming here has ill intentions.
Ling Shu stood up and slowly walked towards the door. Halfway there, her phone suddenly rang.
It was a call from Butler Wang.
Upon answering the phone, Butler Wang's anxious voice came through the receiver: "Miss Ling, I'm sorry, I just received news that your parents are making a scene, saying they have something extremely urgent to discuss with you, and they've barged into Liuli Island!"
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